COMMUNITY SPORTS: Escondido to host adult soccer tournament

Children have plenty, especially in an area where club soccer is so prevalent.

This week, however, kids will be rooting on their parents in what is considered by many as the finest amateur adult tournament for players over 30. The Veterans Cup runs today through July 1 at Frances Ryan Park in Escondido, and includes 94 teams from across the nation in divisions broken up by age and gender. The bulk of the teams are filled with players over 40, but don't let age deceive you.

These guys can still play.

"The level of competition at this tournament is extremely high," said Cezar Wasecki, the Veterans Cup national chairman. "Many of these teams feature players of top quality who were successful as younger players and still have that drive for competition."

The tournament, hosted by amateur soccer collective Cal South, will be played in Escondido next year as well. The tournament rotates between the east and west on a bi-annual basis. Wasecki estimates that 1,500 players and their families will fill local hotels rooms this week and bring substantial tourism revenue to the city. Frances Ryan Park will play host, and added an eighth field for this tournament. Five fields have lights, a necessary feature with so many games to play.

The tournament will feature a pool play format with top teams moving out for single-elimination semifinals and a championship over the weekend.

There are a few "home" teams in this tournament, including an over-30 women's team from Escondido's FC Heat. The roster comes together mainly for tournaments and features women who play in different leagues across North County.

"We all have full-time jobs and many have families, so it's not easy to get together and practice, but we know each other well and can get going quickly," said Marin Sandera, Heat defender who played at Carlsbad High and now lives in Vista. "It's a fun team to play for, and I know we're all looking forward to playing a tournament in our own backyard."